Adjustable finger splint

Abstract

An adjustable finger splint having a main body and slide. The slide configured to move relative to the main body and including a wedge to apply variable pressure to an injured finger to cause the injured finger to extend or straighten. The main body having a proximal interphalangeal platform to support the proximal interphalangeal joint, a metacarpophalangeal platform to support the palm and metacarpophalangeal joint, and a slide platform to support the slide.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adjustable finger splint comprising:
 a main body including:
 a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) platform having at least one front surface to allow a user to apply a first pressure to the adjustable finger splint; and 
 a frame coupled to the MCP platform, the frame extending upward from the main body and defining a cavity, the cavity to receive a finger; and 
 
 a slide to releasably couple to the main body within the cavity to allow the slide to move relative to the main body, the slide defining a wedge having a predefined curvature and a back surface to allow the user to apply a second pressure to the adjustable finger splint, the second pressure in a direction substantially opposite the first pressure. 
 
     
     
       2. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cavity includes:
 a front opening along a front side of the frame; 
 a finger opening along a back side of the frame, the back side opposite the front side; and 
 a slide opening along the back side of the frame, the slide opening separate from the finger opening by the MCP platform. 
 
     
     
       3. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a palmar pad releasably coupled to a top surface of the MCP platform. 
     
     
       4. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the palmar pad includes a front portion that extends at least partially into the cavity and a back portion in contact with the top surface of the MCP platform. 
     
     
       5. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 3 , wherein a top surface of the slide is configured to contact the palmar pad during use. 
     
     
       6. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) platform, the PIP platform defining a top surface of the cavity. 
     
     
       7. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the PIP platform is movable relative to the frame to increase a size of an opening of the cavity. 
     
     
       8. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a dorsal pad releasably coupled to a bottom surface of the PIP platform. 
     
     
       9. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the predefined curvature is selected to cause the finger within the cavity to extend during use. 
     
     
       10. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slide includes a slide rail. 
     
     
       11. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the slide includes a handle. 
     
     
       12. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a grip or third-party support. 
     
     
       13. An adjustable finger splint, comprising:
 a main body having a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) platform and a frame, the frame defining a cavity and including two side rails, a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) platform, and a slide platform and the MCP platform including at least one front surface to allow a user to apply a first pressure to the adjustable finger splint; and 
 a slide moveable with respect to the main body, the slide having a wedge, a back surface, and a slide rail, the wedge extending outward from the cavity from a first side and the slide rail positioned below the MCP platform and extending outward from the cavity from a second side, the second side of the cavity opposite the first side of the cavity, and the back surface to allow the user to apply a second pressure to the adjustable finger splint, the second pressure in a direction substantially opposite the first pressure. 
 
     
     
       14. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the slide releasably couples to the main body. 
     
     
       15. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the slide is irremovably attached to the main body. 
     
     
       16. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a dorsal pad coupled to the PIP platform such that the dorsal pad rests over the human finger during use; and 
 a palmar pad coupled to the MCP platform such that the palmar pad rests below the human finger during use. 
 
     
     
       17. An adjustable finger splint, comprising:
 a main body having:
 a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) platform, the MCP platform having a top surface to support a palm of a user and at least one front surface to allow at least one healthy finger of the user to apply a first pressure to the adjustable finger splint; and 
 a frame defining a cavity for receiving an injured finger of the user, the frame including two side rails, a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) platform, and a slide platform; 
 
 a palmar pad releasably coupled to the top surface of the MCP platform; 
 a slide moveable with respect to the main body through the cavity, the slide including a wedge and a side rail, the wedge having a predefined curvature and the slide rail including at least one back surface to apply a second pressure to the adjustable finger splint, the second pressure in a direction substantially opposite the first pressure; and 
 a dorsal pad releasably coupled to the PIP platforms. 
 
     
     
       18. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a measuring device to indicate an extension or straightness of the injured finger. 
     
     
       19. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a window in at least one of the side rails. 
     
     
       20. The adjustable finger splint as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the palmar pad has a first layer formed of a first material and a second layer formed of a second material.